Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dranesville, VA (2025 Update)

  • Dranesville Solar Installation Cost: $20,263
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,682
  • Payback Period: 14.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dranesville

We go over average solar pricing in Dranesville.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Dranesville typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Dranesville, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $20,263, or $28,976 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $17,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Dranesville

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-18,664
3 years$-15,466
5 years$-12,268
7 years$-9,070
9 years$-5,872
11 years$-2,674
13 years$524
15 years$3,722
17 years$6,919
19 years$10,117
21 years$13,315
23 years$16,513
25 years$19,711

Top Solar Installers in Dranesville

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Dranesville, therefore optimizing your ROI.

Working with a vetted solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:

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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

See all of the solar companies in Dranesville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dranesville

The cost of installing a solar system in Dranesville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,590. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Dranesville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Dranesville to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Dranesville is the company you get to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.73$15,681$11,25914.6 years
8 kW$3.66$20,506$15,41414.3 years
10 kW$3.59$25,130$19,77014.0 years
12 kW$3.52$29,553$24,32713.7 years
14 kW$3.45$33,775$29,08513.4 years
16 kW$3.37$37,796$34,04513.2 years
18 kW$3.30$41,615$39,20512.9 years
20 kW$3.23$45,234$44,56612.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

EcoWatch's Dranesville, VA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dranesville?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Dranesville?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Dranesville, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Does Dranesville have a net metering program?

Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.